By Ana Carolina Morales
Serving a community by helping a nonprofit organization goes beyond giving a few hours of your time or completing tasks. A committed network of volunteers can bring out transformative results and impact people’s futures and their societies, too.
Volunteers are the backbone of nonprofit organizations. They are crucial to increase the quality of an institution’s service and raise awareness of the organization’s cause.
Whether your cause is feeding the hungry, empowering women, or providing education, volunteerism is a collective effort to support a social movement.
Many people think that volunteering is walking away empty-handed. But that is far from the truth. People who render their services not only get the satisfaction of helping others. Students gain real-world experience, professionals use their skills and learn new ones, and senior volunteers can improve their health.
For nonprofits, it is challenging to attract and keep volunteers. According to the last known report of the United States Census Bureau, in 2021, 60.7 million people volunteered in America through an organization. However, there has been a considerable decrease in this number since then.
So, if you are curious about being part of a social change, know that your help is an act of kindness. And many benefits come with this experience.
7 Benefits of Volunteering
You give your time and serve with your skills. In return, you get a lot more.
Here are the top advantages of civic engagement:
Because you connect with others, it improves your confidence and mood.
It is an opportunity to meet new people and strengthen your professional network.
By helping others, you can develop more empathy and compassion.
People gain career experience that boosts their resume experience.
Learn new skills like communication, time management, and leadership.
You set an example by giving the gift of your time and knowledge with a purpose.
By showing up and helping others, you can find a new purpose.
“Volunteering Is an Act of Love”
El Sistema Texas, like many nonprofits, relies on volunteers to achieve its mission.
This organization focuses on musical education. It has 60 volunteers, including logistic support, music teachers, digital marketing experts, and fundraising advisors.
Rosely Martínez has volunteered since July 2022, when El Sistema Texas was born. She is part of the logistics team and ensures that all students have a safe and enjoyable experience during rehearsals and performances.
“I feel proud to be one of the first volunteers of El Sistema Texas. Children have lessons every Saturday. Volunteers welcome students and attend to the cleanliness of the space where they practice. We guarantee each child maintains discipline and that their belongings are well-located. Also, we support the teachers,” expressed Martínez.
As a server in her community, she also feels appreciated and defines her commitment to El Sistema Texas as “an act of love.” Continued: “On their first anniversary, I had the honor of saying the welcome speech. Being part of this project has positively influenced me. We have become a big family. We work together towards a common goal: supporting the vision of reaching every corner of Texas through the collective practice of music.”
People who volunteer at El Sistema Texas interact with talented students, assist in events, and serve as part of a team committed to driving social change in music. There are in-person and remote positions available.
Are you interested in being part of a unique musical project? Click here to learn about El Sistema Texas volunteer opportunities. Professional musical expertise is not a prerequisite.
